We are an all-volunteer, minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 in New York City by a group of filmmakers and enthusiasts. We recognize excellence and diversity in cinema, with a special emphasis on supporting women and under-represented filmmakers and a focus on nurturing emerging filmmakers from all genres from around the world.

Our mission is to promote diversity, bridge the opportunity divide and provide a platform for under-represented artists and a variety of genres, viewpoints and approaches. We believe that only by seeing others stories can we understand each other and only via an open door can the underrepresented artist enter the room.

Our annual international film festival is a ten-day event including awesome film screenings, cool discussion panels, useful professional development workshops, and super-fun parties at venues throughout NYC. Works of all lengths and genres are considered for Festival screening, including narrative Fiction, Documentary, Web Series, Music Videos, Animation, and Horror.

Each year, the Winter Film Awards selects 80-90 independent films of all genres - roughly half of the selections are made by women, roughly half are made by people of color. All selected films are screened at Cinema Village, New York City's best independent cinema.  The event concludes with a glittering awards ceremony and red carpet gala at one of NYC's premier nightclubs. We award over $75,000 in cash, prizes, and distribution opportunities! Winter Film Awards International Film Festival is an IMDB-qualifying festival.

Our program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Winter Film Awards are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Have questions or want to get involved? Click here to contact us!